Renault 12 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Renault 12 car check
Is the Renault 12 reliable? We analysed 727 real MOT tests across 120 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Renault 12? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Renault 12 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake binding, suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded and seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Renault 12.
Renault 12 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Renault 12. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Renault 12 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Renault 12 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Renault 12 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Renault 12 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Renault 12 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Renault 12 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Renault 12 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Renault 12 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | 109 | 70.6% | 29,821 | 51,747 | 59,457 |
| 1975 | 81 | 72.8% | 50,702 | 60,988 | 77,185 |
| 1973 | 98 | 78.6% | 20,958 | 44,829 | 61,924 |
| 1972 | 129 | 85.3% | 31,634 | 50,840 | 81,478 |
| 1971 | 56 | 83.9% | 38,062 | 54,731 | 82,084 |
How Long Does a Renault 12 Last?
Based on 120 Renault 12 vehicles on UK roads.
Renault 12 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Renault 12 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Renault 12
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
85.3% MOT pass rate from 129 tests
70.6% MOT pass rate from 109 tests
The best year to buy a used Renault 12 is 1972, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 85.3% across 129 tests. The 1976 model year has the lowest pass rate at 70.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Renault 12 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renault 12 THIS CAR | 77.6% | 727 | 52,221 mi | 55 yrs |
| Renault Clio | 67.1% | 14,729,048 | 62,807 mi | 33 yrs |
| Renault Megane | 67.3% | 7,306,346 | 70,453 mi | 30 yrs |
| Renault Laguna | 64.6% | 2,783,232 | 89,257 mi | 32 yrs |
| Citroen Berlingo 800TD HDI LX | 67% | 388 | 146,372 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Renault Clio (67.1% pass rate) and the Renault Megane (67.3% pass rate), the Renault 12 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Renault 12 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Renault 12Should you buy a used Renault 12?
The Renault 12 has an overall MOT pass rate of 77.6% across 727 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Renault 12 are brake binding (39 recorded failures), suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (36), and seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (20). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Renault 12 owner drives around 711 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Renault 12 models stay on UK roads for around 55 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.